Chesteb b



C. E. CLEMENS.

VEHICLE SPRING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1911. RENEWED FEB. 5, \919.

1 9 8 1 6,0 1 7 Patented Sept. 16, 1919.

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7 shearing action.

' to the spring rrnn STATES CHESTER E. CLEMENS, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO,

AESIGNOR To "run sraivnnnn rears COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A GOBIPORATION OF OHIO.

4t VEHICLE-SPRING.

Application filed June '7, 1.917, Serial No. 173,271.

To all whom c't may concern: 0

Be it known that I, CHESTER E. QnnMnNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and u have invented a certain new State of Ohio,

rovement in vehiclaSprlngs,

and useful Inn of which the 'ollowin is a full, clear,

exact description, re erence being had tof the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to vehicle springs and more particularly to the type of springs wherein both the drive and the torque are taken through the springs, this. action imposing upon the springs the combined stresses of drive and torque, with the resultant tendency or liability to loosen the spring on the axle seat. This loosening of the connection, in all ordinary constructions, imposes an undue strain upon the center bolt, frequently resulting in shearing the latter and allowing the plates .an undesirable freedom of action relative to each other.

I It is the general object ot-this invention to'*"provide a cooperating construction of spring and seat-clamping and supporting means whereby relative longitudinal move ment of the spring as a whole with reference seating and clamping means will be prevented. A further object of the invention is to secure the foregoing results without subjecting the center bolt to any;

In the drawings forming part hereof, wherein one embodiment of my invention is illustrated, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of part of a vehicle frame and of a spring connected thereto and to an axle seat the connections between the ends of the spring and the frame being shown in section; Fig. 2 a central longitudinal sectional view through the said spring, axle chair and associated parts; igp 3 a transverse sectional view through the parts shown in Fig. 2; and, Fig. 4: a detail in plan of a filler block which may be employedwith the axle 7, the clips being" shown 'in' section.

Describing by reference characters the various parts illustrated herein, 1 denotes the main plate and 1 the auxiliary plates of a spring, the spring shown being of the hill semi-elliptic type. The main plateis provided with an eye 2 at one end by which it is shown as connected to shaelrles 3 carried by the side trams 4.

' of the plates with the curved to conform to the curvature o Specification of Letters Fatent. Pate ted Sept. 16, 1919.

Renewed. February 5,1919. Serial No. 276,197.

The opposite end of the main plate is connected to the frame 4 while the corresponding eye of the plate subjacent thereto is connected to a shackle,- eferably of the type described and claimed. in the application'filed by myself and Royal K. 'Johnson onJuly 28, '1915, Serial No. 42,267. The

eye 2 on the endof the main plate iseoni' 5 to which the triangular nected to a 'pin I shackle links 6 are pivoted, and an elongated eye 1 on the auxiliary plate lbeneath the main plate is connected to a pin 7 extending between the shackle links 6, there belng a pin 8 extending between the lower ends of the said links. The usual rebound shackles or clips 9 will be provided.

For convenience of shipping the springs in assembled condition, a'oesnter bolt is usually provided, said bolt being indicated at 10 and extending through apertures 1 at the center of each plate. The metal of each plate surrounding the aperture 1 is depressed in of each lea out of the plane of'the metal adjacent, thereto. By this construction, a projection 1 in the shape of a cupped bead, will-be formed on one side of the spring while a corresponding complementary.- cupped recess 1 will be formed on the op posite side, there being shoulders 1 and 1 connecting the upper and lower surfaces central cupped porpunching the central portion.

tion. The center bolt 10 which is usually employed for assembling purposes is shown as extending through the cups or projections of the plates with its head l0 engaging the bottom of the cup on the lowermost spring plate. The upper end of this bolt is pm vided with a driving block 11 having a projection 11 at the bottom thereof which is so 5 shaped as to fit close-lywithin and enga e the surface of the cupp'rovidecl within t e top oiithe main plate; The driving block is;

secured in place by means of the usual nut I i rear axle and 14 the hous-" 12. Q 13 denotes the lug usually provided therefon. This housing is provided with a chair or seat 15. On top of the chair-there is provided a filler block 16, said block having its upperf fafie t d short spring plate therabove and heir? provided with an aperture or pocket 17 0 reception of the bolt head 10. The 11 per edges of this aperture or pocket are inc med r, the v i or beveled, as shown at 17 in order to conform to and engage the cooperating surface the said clea'rance being preferably about A like clearance is provided between the top of the driving block and the wall 19 of the recess above the lateral portions of said block. "Where the center bolt is retained, the recess 19 is extended, as shown at 19 in order to receive therewithin the nut 12, the clearance between the nut and the walls of the extension 19 being greater than that provided between the front and back side walls of the recem 19 and the adjacent portions of the driving block 11.

The pressure block 18 is provided with transversely extending grooves 18 each adapted to receive the curved portion 20 of the ordinary spring clips, thelegs 20 of said clips extending on-each side ofthe filler block 16, the latter. block .being shown as provided with notches 16 at the corners thereof for the reception of said legs. The lower ends of the'legs extend through the ends of the spring seat 15 and are provided with nuts 20 and spring washers-20.

As a matter of convenience, the center bolt 10 will ordinarily be retained, although its presence is'unnecessary for the purpose of securingthe spring to its seat and for preventing any material relative longitudinal movement between the plates of said spring. Where the bolt is dispensed with, the recess 17 need be. only of suflicient depth to receive therewithin the projection 1 on the short plate; and this recess may be formed directly in the chair or spring seat 15 instead of in a separate filler block seat With the parts constructed and arranged as described, pressure exerted longitudinally of the main plate will be transmitted through the projections 1 and recesses 1 to all of the plates therebeneath. The clips 20, 20 will serve to hold the central portion of the spring to the seat and to maintain the connection between the main plate and the ubjacent plates through the cupped projections and the cooperating cupped recesses. Should the clips become somewhat loosened, the drive block will move together with the main plate and the subjacent plates until the drive block engages the wall of the recess 19 toward which it is being moved. Further movement of the main plate and driving block will move the pressure block, thereby swinging the clips 20, 20 about their lower ends and tightening their grip upon the pressure block, through the engagement of the parts 20 with the sides of the recesses 18. This movement of driving and pressure blocks is the result of very slight but progressive creeping movement of the sloping sides of the projections 1 along their respective subjacent recesses. The whole spring tends to travel as one mass with the bead projection at the bottom and the recess at the top engaging with their respective seatsat the axle and with the driving block.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 2' 1. The combination, with a multiple leaf spring having a series of leaves provided each with a projection and a complementary recess, whereby the said leaves maybe as sembled with the projection of one leaf resting within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of a seating member having means adapted to engage the depressed portion of the spring leaf next adjacent thereto, a driving block having a surface conforming to the ,depressed portion of the spring leaf of the series which is remote from the one cooperating with said seating member, a pressure block cooperating with the last mentioned leaf and having a recess for the reception of the driving block, and means for compressing the spring leaves between the pressure block and seating member.

2. The combination, with a multiple leaf spring having a series of leaves provided each with a projection and a complementary recess, whereby the said leaves may be assembled with the projection ofonc leaf resting within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of a seating member having a pocket to receive' the depressed portion of the spring leaf next adjacent thereto, a driving block having a surface adapted to engage the depressed portion of the spring leaf of the series which is remote from the one cooperating with said seating member, a pressure block cooperating with the last mentioned leaf and having a recess for the reception of the driving block, the front and rear walls of the recess being in close proximity to the corresponding walls of said driving block, and means for compressing the spring leaves between the pressure block and seating member.

3. The combination, with a multiple leaf spring having a series of leaves provided each with a central projection and a coinplementary recess, whereby the said leaves may be centered with the projection of one leaf nesting within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of a bolt extending through such depressed portions of the leaves and clamping the series of leaves together, a driving block on said bolt having a part adapted to cooperate with'the depressed portion of the leaf at one extremity of said series, a seating member having a recess for thereception of one end of the bolt and having each with a central projection and a complementary recess, whereby the said leaves may be assembled with the projection of one leaf nesting within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of a bolt extending through the depressed portions of said leaves, a seating member having a recess for the reception of one end of the bolt and having means adapted to engage 'the'depressed portion of the leaf at one extremity ofsaid series, a driving block on the opposite end of said bolt and having a surface adapted to engage the depressed portion of the leaf at the opposite extremity of'said series, a pressure block coiiperating with the last mentioned leaf, and recessed to receive therewithin the driving block, said recess having walls in close proximity to the front and rear sides of the driving block, andv means cooperating with the pressure block and the seating member to compress the spring leaves there between. c

5. The combination, with a multiple leaf spring having a series of leaves provided each with a central projection plementary recess, whereby the said leaves may be centered with leaf nesting within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of an axle chair,

chair having a pocket adapted to receive the depressed portion of the spring leaf at one extremity of said series, a pressure block coiiperating with the leaf at the 0p posite extremity of said series and provided with a'recess facing the last-mentioned-leaf, a driving block within surface adapted to engage the depressed portion of the last-mentioned leaf, and clips extending about the pressure block and the filler block and adjustably connected to the axle chair;

'6. The combination, with a multiple leaf spring having a series of leavesprovided eachwith a central projection and a comleaf, of a seating member having a surface ttlli plementary recess, whereby the said leaves may be assembled with the projection of one;

leaf nesting within the recess of an adjacent adapted to engage the depressed portion of the s ring leaf next adjacent thereto, a driving lock'adapted to engage the depressed portion of the leaf at the cppositeeatrem spring imparting a and a comthe projection of onea filler blockon saidf said recess having a each with a central project-ionan Elementary recess, whereby theleaves may ing member for compressing the spring leaves thereagainst, such compressing means,

through movement longitudinally of the through said block to the spring leaves.

7. The combination, with a multiple leaf spring having a series of leaves provided each with a central projection and a complementary. recess, whereby the said leaves may be assembled with the projection of one leaf nesting within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of a seating member having a surface adapted to engage the depressed por tion of the spring leaf nextadjacentthereto, a pressure block cooperating with the leaf at the opposite extremity of the series from the last mentioned leaf, means cooperating with the pressure block and the seating member for compressing the spring leaves therebetween, and means adapted to engage the depressed portion of the leafadjacent to the pressure-block and operable bv the longitudinal movement of said block with reference to said leaf for imparting a longitudinal. thrust to said leaf and thereby ,to all of the leaves'of the series. y

8. The combination, with a multiple leaf spring having a series of leaves provided each with a central projection and a com plementary recess, whereby the leaves may be centered with the projection ofone leaf nesting within the portions of said leaves with its head in engagement with the projection of a leaf at one extremity of said series, on said bolt and having a projection adapted to fit within the recessin a leaf adjacent thereto, a'nut on said bolt adapted to recess of an adjacent leaf, of a bolt extending through the depressed a driving block longitudinal thrust its clampa said driving block inlace, an axle chair,a filler block on said 0 air having a I recess for the reception of oneend of the lllh bolt and a surface adapted to engage the depressed portlon of the leaf adjacent thereto, a pressure block having a recess for the reception of the driving block, the front,

driving block being i 1.15 said recess and said pressure block having and rear sides of the closely adjacent to corresponding Walls of transversely extending seats, U-shaped clips having the last mentioned seats and extending through the axle chair and engaging op posite sides 'of the filler block, and ad justable means cooperating with the ends of said clips and the chair for compressing the spring leavesbetween the pressure block and the filler block.

9. The combination, with. a multiple leaf spring having a series of leaves rovided a com e centered with the projection of one leaf their transverse portions seated in nesting within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of a bolt extending through the depressed portions of said leaves with its head in engagement with the projection of a leaf at one extremity of said series, a dri ing block on said bolt and having a projection adapted to fit within the recess in a leaf adjacent thereto, a nut on said bolt adapted to clamp said driving block in place, an axle chair, a filler block on said chair having a recess for the reception of one end of the bolt and a surface adapted to engage the depressed portion of the leaf adjacent thereto, apressure block having a recess for the reception of the driving block, the front and rear sides of the driving block being closely adjacent to corresponding walls of said recess, and means extending through the axle chair and engaging opposite sides of the filler block for compressing the spring leaves between the pressure block and the filler block.

10. The combination, with a'multiple leaf spring having a series of leaves provided each with a projection and a' complementary recess, whereby the said leaves may-be assembled with the projection of one leaf nesting within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of a seating member, a pressure block,

means cooperating with said seating memher and said pressure block for clamping the series of leaves therebctwcen. and means ongaging the depressed portion of one leai' and forming a driving connection between 1he latter and the pressure block adapted to transmit thrust longitudinally of the spring from one to the other.

11. The combination, with a inutiple leaf spring having a series of leaves provided each with a projection and a complementary recess, whereby the said leaves may be assembled withthe projection of one leaf nesting Within the recess of an adjacent leaf, of a seating member, a pressure block, means cooperating with said seating member and said pressure block for clamping the series of leaves therebetween, a driving block secured on the leaf which adjoins the pressure block and interlocked with the depressed portion of the leaf, and said pres sure block having means cooperating with said driving block and whereby thrusts longitudinally of the spring are transmitted between the latter and the pressure block.

In testimony whereof-I hereunto aflix my signature in' the presence of two witnesses.

CHESTER E. CLEMENS. Witnesses:

WM. P. CULVER, VERA Lows. 

